Breadcrumbs

Planning Process

The County Department of Parks and Recreation has hired HHF Planners to facilitate the planning process and document the master plan. HHF’s team of consultants is comprised of three Kaua‘i-based companies that are conducting specialized fieldwork. They are: Johanna Ventura (community outreach/facilitation support), Esaki Surveying and Engineering (topographical survey, certified shoreline survey, preliminary engineering report), and Cultural Surveys Hawai‘i (archaeological inventory survey).

What is the process being used to prepare the park master plan?

Public input is an essential part of developing the park master plan. In pursuit of an inclusive program, the planning process seeks to engage major stakeholder groups, among them park users, fishermen, paddlers and surfers, community organizations, local businesses and neighboring landowners, government agencies and other interested parties.

There are five distinct phases in the planning process, with each phase structured with opportunities for community engagement. As proposed, the process includes three community meetings, two rounds of focus group discussions, and consultations with a community advisory committee (CAC).

Black Pot Beach Park Master Plan Project Process

What is the County’s timeline to complete the master plan?

The estimated project timeline anticipates that the final plan will be completed and presented to the County Council by mid-year 2017. The steps leading up to the final plan are summarized below.

1. Meet and Educate the Planning Team. This first phase sets the foundation for the master plan. Primary tasks in this phase include conducting background research and community interviews to identify existing conditions and understand priority issues and concerns, establishing a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and informing the public about the project. Community engagement venues in the first phase consisted of site visit interviews conducted in April 2015, formation of the CAC (June 18, 2015 meeting), small (focus) group discussions (August 7-8, 2015), and a community meeting (November 17, 2015). Meeting summaries are posted under the MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS tab.

2. Generate Planning Options | Analyze Conceptual Plan Alternatives. This second phase focuses on analyzing three planning alternatives to ultimately support the identification of the preferred alternative. Community engagement in this phase consisted of a second CAC meeting (April 27, 2016), small (focus) group discussions (June 2, 2016), and a second community meeting (July 19, 2016). Planning alternatives are published on the website, with a 30-day comment period for the public to review and give feedback on the alternatives.

3. Prioritize Planning Options | Confirm Preferred Plan. The third phase involves working with the CAC to confirm the preferred alternative and to prioritize implementation actions—including identifying capital projects, cost estimates and funding sources, and phasing schedules. The third CAC meeting was held on October 26, 2016, and the third community meeting on December 1, 2016.

4. Refine Draft Plan. During the fourth phase, the draft master plan report would be published on the project website for public review and comment. The County Council would also be briefed on the content and recommendations of the draft plan.

5. Document the Final Plan | Conduct County Council Briefing. Upon revision of the draft plan, the Final Plan would be published, followed by a formal presentation to the County Council.

Implementation.While the master plan provides a framework to organize and prioritize implementation actions, the execution of these actions is distinctly separate from the task of preparing the master plan. Adequate funding and political support, together with the combined energies of residents, community organizations, public agencies, businesses and landowners, are key components that allow communities to turn plans into reality. Continued participation, cooperation and commitment from all partners will be essential to ensure that the master plan recommendations are implemented, and the expansion plan for Black Pot Beach Park is completed in a reasonable timeframe.

What is the purpose of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC)?

The CAC is a group of 19 residents who share a commitment to Black Pot Beach Park and the Hanalei community. Each member represents a different perspective, and is able to offer insights that reflect the various community interests and groups who currently use the park.

The CAC serves to bridge understanding between the County and the larger community. The primary role of the CAC is to assist with understanding the broader issues concerning the park, and provide feedback on proposed ideas and planning options. CAC members are also helping to promote public involvement in the project, and sharing project information with their networks/affiliates.

CAC members were selected by the County Department of Parks and Recreation through an application process conducted during April 2015. A total of 28 applications were received. The selection process placed an emphasis on individuals who hold multiple paths of connections to the park and the surrounding resources.